Page:Tales of John Oliver Hobbes.djvu/369

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A Study in Temptations.
353

"Not for ages!"

"And then, there is your money!"

"I can give most of it to the poor relations. It will soon go that way. They want ever so many more things than I do! But you will be rich, too, when you are a Professor and write learned books. Or, if you are not exactly rich, you will be famous— which is much better."

"You have always believed in me. But if I fail——"

"You would never fail; you might be unfortunate. But then I could only love you more than ever."

"Write to me every day, dearest, and tell me that."

"How much do you love me?"

"I don't know," he said, solemnly; "and that has been the cause of all my trouble."

"What trouble?"

"The trouble I want you to forgive."

She put her arms round his neck. "Didn't you say," she said, "that nothing mattered so long as we loved each other?"

"It would never have happened," he stammered, "if she had not been so much like you."

"I know all about it," she said; "don't tell me any more—unless you like."

"But—how do you know?"

"I saw it in your face—when I came in."

"I shall never understand women!" exclaimed De Boys.

"I suppose," she said, "we are rather difficult."

"I never told her," he murmured, "that I loved

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